Flood cleanup in Guangfu Township makes significant progress

Taipei, Oct. 5 (CNA) Cleanup work in Hualien County's Guangfu Township following flooding caused by the overflow of the Matai'an Creek barrier lake has made significant progress, with 98 percent of roads expected to be cleared on Sunday and four schools preparing to reopen on Tuesday, according to the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).

CEOC chief coordinator Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) said that of the 89 households that had been unable to remove sediment after the disaster, 49 have now completed cleanup work.

He added that major roads in Guangfu were 95 percent cleared on Saturday and were expected to reach 98 percent on Sunday.

Chi said teaching areas at National Kuangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School have now been cleaned and power and water restored, while remaining debris is scheduled to be removed on Sunday.

The vocational high school will hold online classes beginning Tuesday and resume in-person instruction on Oct. 13, Chi said.

According to Chi, two elementary schools and a junior high school in the township will also resume in-person classes on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Water Corp. (Taiwater) said that 33 water supply stations have been set up and 16 water trucks deployed, delivering 3,427 metric tons of water in 731 trips as of 8 a.m. Sunday to support residents in cleaning their homes.

Taiwater said 200 repair cases within its scope of responsibility have mostly been completed, with nine still underway.

The company said 36 out of 120 additional cases involving household internal leaks have already been fixed, after they were referred to volunteer electricians and plumbers.

To further expedite repairs, Taiwater and Taiwan Power Co. have formed a joint task force to assess residents' water and electricity repair needs and coordinate with the Executive Yuan's Eastern Taiwan Joint Services Center to integrate volunteer efforts, the state-owned utility said.

It also said it will continue to assess the water needs of shelters, schools and homes to help residents in the disaster area return to normal life as soon as possible.